Amusement apparatus



J. H. RYAN.

' AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-6, 1919.

Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

J. H. RYAN. AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-6,1919.

Patented Nov. 2, 1920.:

3 SHEETS-SHEET Z- UNITEE PATET GFFME.

AMIUSEMENT AEPAEATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

Application filed December 6, 1919. Serial No. 343,077.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN HENRY RYAN, a subyect of the King of Great Britain, re-

siding at Montreal, Province of Quebec,

Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Amusement Apparatus; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact descrip tion of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention has relation to amusement apparatus and more particularly appertains to the type known as human roulette wheels. wherein there are provided revolving platforms, adapted for tripping of persons entering upon the same and subsequently flinging them aside into a labyrinth or place surrounding said platforms. This labyrinth is formed'with intricate passageways, which render it difiicult to find the way to the entrance and requiring further riding upon said platforms for the purpose of gaining the outlet of the apparatus.

The object of the present invention is to provide an amusement device of the character set forth, provided with means for carrying a person a certain distance and depositing him in a place formed with intricate passages having no exit openings.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus, wherein two platforms revolve in different directions, thereby pro viding diflicult footing for a person or persons entering upon the same.

A further object of the invention is toprovide means for revolving the platforms simultaneously in opposite directions.

With the above and other ob ects in view which will hereinafter appear as the description'contin-ues, the invention consists of the novel features of construction, combina tion and formation "of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings has been shown a simple and preferred form of the invention, it being, however, understood that no limitation is necessarily made to the precise structural details herein exhibited, but the right is hereby reserved to any changes, alterations or modifications to which recourse may be had that come within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing the efliciency of the same.

. The invention has been illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drenvings wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan elevation of the improved apparatus, with portions in cross section;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view, illus trating the operating mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a frontal elevation of the operating mechanism;

Fig. 4: is a section on line 4 -4: of Fig. 2;

5 is a detail elevational view of a part of the driving gears;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of several of the labyrinth partitions;

Fig. 7 is a fragmental detail elevational view of one of the adjustable supporting rods;

Fig. 8 is a similar view at right angles to Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a cross section on line 9-9 of Fig. 7

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional elevation of one of the supporting rods illustrating its connection to the cross rod; and,

Fig. 11 is a cross section at right angles to the same.

In carrying out the present invention, reference being had to the drawings in detail, there is provided a stationary platform or floor 10 supported upon the standards 11 and said platform 10 is inclosed at its inner end and sides by walls or partitions 12, 18 and 14, forming a housing for the same. A series of steps 15 are provided adjacent the open end of the said housing and a roof, not illustrated, may be supported by the pillars 16 located contiguous to the opening partitions 17. A. railing 18 divides the forward part of the housing and forms entrance and exit openings 19 and. 20.

The floor 10 is provided with a circular opening in which is revolubly mounted a platform 21, which latter is supported upon blocks 22, secured to the cross arms 23 connected to an annular drum 24.. These cross arms 23 are provided with spindles 25 on i to escape through the blind opening 44.

planetary gear 38 similar to gear 30.

which are mounted the rollers 26 having bearings on the annular rlng member 2!.

This ring member 27 is supported upon the toothed planetary gear 30, connected to the.

lower surface of drum 2% which is en aged by the gears 31 and 32 keyed to shart 33. This shaft 33 is supported by standards 34 and its inner end is pivotally mounted in a collar 35 on the vertical shaft 36. This shaft 36 has bearings in a block 3'7 secured to the base plate 29 and has keyed theretoka i s will be understood, gear 30 and drum 21 are loosely mounted on shaft 36 and gears 31 and 32 on shaft 33 impart motion in different directions to gears 30 and 38.

Revolving platform 21 at its central part is provided with a circular opening in which is mounted another revolving platform 39, which latter is keyed to the upper end of the vertical shaft 36 and has secured thereto a depending annular plate Annular plate 40 has stems 41 secured thereto, which carry rollers 42 having bearings on the upper surface of the drum 24:.

It will thus be seen that as the electric motor r1 drives shaft 33, motion will be imparted to gears 30 and 38, through gears 31 and 32 mounted thereon, thereby gear 30 1s revolved in one direction while gear 38 is revolved in the opposite direction, thus imparting the same motion to platforms 21 and 39.

Surrounding said platforms 21 and 39 are the labyrinth partitions 42 which are secured to the floor 10 and arranged in such 7 manner that one entrance opening 43 is provided through which may pass persons to the revolving platforms 21 and 39.

A blind exit opening 44; is provided but said exit is blocked by several partitions a5, 16, 4:7 and 4:8. 7 1

A person stepping upon the platform 21 would be carried around in the direction of the arrow as indicated in Fig. 1, and as the said platform is revolved at a relatively high speed, the person standing thereupon would be tripped'and very likely would try The confusing number of partitions above mentioned would prevent the escape of the person from the apparatus and thus he would have to again step upon the platform 21 and. ride around farther to gain the proper exit. Should he attempt to cross the central revolving platform 39, which is revolved at a higher rate of speed than the platform 21, but in opposite direction, he

would be tripped again and thrown against one of the circular walls 49 of the partitions. Should he attempt to escape by opening 50, he would find the same blocked by the partitions 51 and 52, assembled in staggered relation to each other.

Finally exit 53 would be reached, through which passage may be had to the main exit platform 20.

In this manner a person would be compelled to take the trip entirely around the apparatus, and more or less enjoyment may be had in the confusion resulting from searching for the proper exit opening.

The labyrinth partitions comprise independent frame sections, formed of the upright rods 54 and the transverse rods 55, which latter are adjustably mounted within the retaining members 56.

These retaining members 56 are formed with annular projections 57, which are apermeans therefor.

A covering of canvas or other material is secured by stitching to the upright rods 54 and the transverse rods 55, and the spanner rods 61 connect each pair of upright rods 54:, which former are secured together at the floor surface by a screw or bolt.

By providing canvas or other textile for the walls of the partitions, I have made arrangement for the escape of people from the apparatus in case of fire or other dis turbances.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to. secure by Letter's Patent is: V

1. An amusement apparatus comprising a housing. a stationary platform for said housing, a platform revolu'ble in said stationary platform, a platform revoluble in said first mentioned revoluble platform, mechanism for operating the movable platforms, and a labyrinth of partitions surrounding said movable platforms.

. 2. An amusement apparatus comprising a housing, a platform connected to said hous with a central opening, a movable platform operable within the opening of said first mentioned movable platform, means for revolving said platforms in different directions, and a labyrinth of partitions surrounding said revolving platforms adapted to control the exit from said casing.

d. An amusement apparatus comprising a housing having side walls and flooring, said flooring formed with a circular opening, a revoluble platform with said flooring opening, said revoluble platform formed with a central opening, a revoluble platform operable within the opening of the other of said revoluble platforms, supporting means 15 for said platforms, and means for operating said platforms in different directions and at different speeds.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN HENRY RYAN. 

